The Honig StoryIn 1964, Louis Honig purchased a 68-acre ranch in the heart of the Napa Valley and planted it with Sauvignon blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. For the next few years, Louis sold the grapes to neighboring wineries with the dream of retiring one day from his San Francisco advertising business and making wine from his vineyard in Rutherford.
Before he could realize his dream, Louis passed away, leaving the estate to his children and grandchildren. In 1981, as a tribute to his legacy, the family rallied together to produce several hundred cases of Louis Honig Sauvignon Blanc in the vineyard's old tractor barn. The wine won a Gold Medal at the Orange County Fair, and thus, the winery was born.
In 1984, at the age of 22, Louis' grandson, Michael Honig, took over management of the vineyard and winery. With a lot of hard work and a beat up pickup truck, Honig managed to get their Sauvignon Blanc into most fine restaurants in California. From there, production and distribution grew. In 1987, in addition to the Sauvignon Blanc for which they were already known, they began producing small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon. Family members Regina Weinstein joined the winery in 1997, Steven Honig in 2000, and Stephanie Honig in 2007.
What began as a small garage winery has become a team of people who work collaboratively to run an inspiring and socially responsible business.
The Honig family donates wine to charity auctions all over the country, they host political and community events at their vineyard, and they are active in the sustainable farming movement. Today, with winemaker Kristin Belair, the family produces Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon, and Honig wines, which were once only available in one San Francisco restaurant, are now on the wine lists of hundreds of fine restaurants across the country. And Louis Honig's vision of bringing his family together to share in the beauty and bounty of Napa Valley, while producing outstanding wines, has become a reality.